Tring trainers trio play hard in ‘battle of the bulge’

A trio of personal trainers are giving three fat fighters the chance to turn their life around with a 12-week challenge.

Trainers Natalie Fitzpatrick, Andrew Tallyn and Mark Guest are offering their services for free to help three people shed the pounds as part of the New You challenge at Tring’s On The Limit gym.

The fitness centre – in Western Road – began the challenge in September, after candidates Jay Hayes, Sue Bailey and Pam Murray were recommended to sign up by Dr Theo Sacca at the Rothschild House Surgery in Chapel Street.

Grandmother Sue, 63, has struggled with her weight all her life, but since starting the challenge she has lost 1st 7lb.

She said: “I was at the doctor’s because I was worried about my health, and he told me about the challenge.

“I feel so much better and healthier already, and Andrew is really encouraging.”

Sue, of Pitstone, works out three times a week for an hour at a time, and is now a regular user of the treadmill.

She said: “I can do a five minute run now, and I’ve never run in my life.”

Trainer Mark Guest is helping 34-year-old Jay Hayes, who said: “We’re making slow progress, and we’re doing a lot of circuit training at the moment. Mark is really pushing me.”

Jay, who works at Heygates flour mill, is currently training between four and five times a week for 40 minutes at a time.He said: “If you don’t put the effort in, you don’t get the results. I thought ‘let’s go for it.’”

Pam Murray, also a grandmother, works as an admin assistant at Tring doctors’ surgery and was recommended the challenge by Dr Sacca, who also trains at On The Limit.

Pam, of Silk Mill, Tring, said: “After I signed up, I thought ‘oh my goodness, what have I done?’ I was quite self conscious because of my age and size but it’s such a friendly gym, I don’t worry now.”

Since starting the challenge, the 60 year old has lost a stone under the guidance of trainer Natalie Fitzpatrick. Pam said: “I’m absolutely amazed.”

The competition between the trainers is fierce, and they’re using tailored exercise programmes to work their candidates hard. They are being put through their paces with a mixture of cardio, weight training and stretching to get the calories burning and the pounds off.

The challenge’s climax will come on December 23 with a final weigh-in, and whoever has lost the most will win a week’s free membership for every kilo they’ve sweated off to encourage them to keep up the good work.